throw (one) to the dogs

throw (one) to the dogs

To put one in the position to be the recipient of blame, trouble, or criticism, often that which was intended for oneself. Tommy was caught with the marijuana in his backpack, but he threw me to the dogs and said it was mine. Our manager never hesitates to throw an underling to the dogs when something goes wrong in the office.

See also: dog, throw, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

throw someone to the dogs

Fig. to abandon someone to enemies or evil. He served the evil empire well, but in the end, they threw him to the dogs.

See also: dog, throw, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

throw someone to the dogs

If someone throws you to the dogs, they allow you to be criticized or attacked, often in order to protect themselves. He told the judges he felt abandoned by his former commanders and that he had been, as he put it, thrown to the dogs. Note: The dogs referred to here are dogs used for hunting.

See also: dog, someone, throw, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

throw someone to the dogs

discard someone as worthless.

See also: dog, someone, throw, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017